Once Upon a Book Club

What's in the box: A newly released or featured book plus several wrapped, custom gifts labeled with page numbers that tie to moments in the story.

Once Upon a Book Club is a US book subscription with a distinctive format. Each box pairs a novel with wrapped gifts labeled by page number. As you read, "Open Your Gift" sticky notes in the book tell you when to unwrap the matching item, and each item is designed around a description from the story. The result feels less like a book delivery and more like an interactive reading experience. The company runs separate Adult and Young Adult subscriptions, each with its own monthly book. Recent examples include a Mummy retelling set in 1920s London for adults and a Wonderland continuation for the YA box. Beyond subscriptions, the site sells limited one-time pre-order boxes, past gifts in an archive shop, and a line of bookish apparel. Subscribers can also join a private Facebook group to discuss each read. The concept suits readers who like to take their time and enjoy physical keepsakes. The trade-off is choice: you do not pick the book, and if a month's title is not to your taste, the themed gifts probably will not appeal either. People who mainly want a lot of books, or who read on an ebook reader, may get less out of the format. Each month's box is sold during a limited window, so timing matters if you want a particular title.